We are deeply concerned about the proposal to allow data centers to set up in our area. We need to urgently demand that the Board of Commissioners imposes a 10-year ban on these facilities due to the significant threats they pose to our environment, economy, and daily quality of life.

Data centers, while technologically essential, have a notorious reputation for massive electricity consumption and water usage. In areas like ours, which depend on local resources, this could lead to increased utility rates and stress on our natural resources. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, data centers can consume up to 100 times more electricity than a standard commercial office building. This not only threatens our ecosystem but also our personal finances as utility rates could skyrocket as demand increases.

Additionally, the construction and operation of data centers take a toll on the local environment. Noise pollution from large cooling systems can disturb the peace of our neighborhoods, while large-scale constructions can lead to irreversible damage to our landscape, contributing to deforestation and habitat disruption. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory reports that data centers demand immense water resources for cooling, a capacity often neglected during planning.

Economically, data centers tend to bring fewer long-term jobs to a community than other types of industries. Most of the positions created are temporary roles during the construction phase. The impact on property values can also be negative, with potential homebuyers deterred by the proximity to large industrial buildings.

Moreover, from a quality of life perspective, the noise and disruption that these centers bring are too great a burden for Rockdale County residents. As someone invested in the future of our community, I firmly believe that allowing data centers to proliferate without checks could irrevocably change the character of our neighborhoods for the worse.

We call upon the Board of Commissioners to hold the community’s welfare as a priority and place a moratorium on data centers for at least the next decade. We need comprehensive studies and viable alternatives that secure our region's well-being and sustainability.

Sign this petition to protect Rockdale County from the irreversible impacts of data centers and ensure a stable, healthy environment for ourselves and future generations.